Dogs prepare for top shot blocker

Georgia faces a tall order of business today when it travels to Mississippi State.

Not only has Georgia only won in Starkville, Miss., one time in the past nine trips, but the Bulldogs also have to score over the top of one of the nation's best shot blockers in Jarvis Varnado.

Georgia (8-7, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) will play the Bulldogs of Mississippi State (13-3, 2-0) at 3 p.m. today in Humphrey Coliseum.

Georgia will try to break a two-game conference losing skid while Mississippi State will try to extend its two-game conference winning streak.

"They do have a great shot blocker inside," Georgia coach Mark Fox said of Varnado. "It's a terrific skill and it's a unique skill, not many players have that. I think a greater concern is their level of experience and balance. They're such a complete team that there's a lot of things to prepare for when you think about Mississippi State. One of those things is obviously Varnado and his ability to change things at the basket."

Varnado, a 6-foot-9, 230-pound senior forward, has been a thorn in Georgia's side for the past three seasons. He has averaged 4.5 blocked shots in his last four games against the Bulldogs. The last time Georgia played in Starkville, Varnado blocked 10 shots as the Bulldogs only hit 16 of 64 (24.6 percent) from the field in a 60-49 loss.

"I know he's one of the greatest shot blockers in college basketball," Georgia sophomore guard Travis Leslie said of Varnado after Georgia's loss to Ole Miss on Wednesday. "It's not going to stop me from going to the hole. I'm going to keep attacking and hopefully I can get him on ESPN, too."

Varnado is second in the NCAA in blocked shots, averaging 5.3 a game. He is also 10th in the nation in rebounding at 11.0 a game.